Website function questions — Ask the Inmate
InmateAid is designed to be as simple and accessible as possible, but questions about how the platform works are completely normal, especially for first-time users navigating a stressful situation. This section covers the most common technical and account questions including how to create an account and set up an inmate profile, how to send letters and photos through the platform, how the discount phone service works and when your number will be ready, how to track the status of a letter or money transfer, what to do if an order did not go through as expected, how to update an inmate's facility information after a transfer, and how to contact InmateAid's support team when you need help. The guidance here is written to get you back on track as quickly as possible so you can focus on what matters, staying connected with your loved one. See also our sections on Send Inmate Mail, Inmate Phone Calls, and Money Transfer.
Related InmateAid Services
First, check the locator on the prison page - the link sends you to the actual locator from the facility. If they are not providing it, go to vinelink.com, they might have it. If they fail, send us the inmate's name and facility and we'll search for you.
Read moreWe have Users create profiles. We have a service that provides updates for daily inmate designations - and all of the data is co-mingled. For instance, I was booked into a county jail for 8 days (profile showed me at Pulaski Co), then I was transferred to a CoreCivic facility for 89 days (second profile showed me at West Tennessee Detention Facility), then I was transferred to FTC-Oklahoma City and finally to FCI-Miami. So, essentially I had four profiles with
Read moreThe new phone number is posted in your account and is emailed to you (check the spam folder, too). When you go to your My Account area, click on Discount Phone calls and the new number is displayed along with the forward-to number, the inmate's prison, next billing date, and even a cancel the recurring charges button, too.
Read moreInmateAid is for all 50 states, federal, state, county and ICE
Read moreSome of the inmate profile data is created by the Users - sometimes the person enters "today's date" in that box.. Unless we have the person you are referring to, we wouldn't know the reason that the release date is incorrect..
Read moreFor frequent members of the site, the wallet provides insider deals for all of the products and services on the site. Using wallet funds allows you to get more for your money - power phone callers, daily or weekly writers and much more.
Read moreYes, the correspondence will transfer to where the inmate is housed. In the event that an inmate gets moved and the letter comes back, we will resend it for you at no charge.
Read moreYou can get a prepaid visa card at any drug store or target, walmart or grocery. Any of those cards will work with our services
Read moreInmateAid sends the letters to the inmate with our return address in Florida. The inmate does not see anything about you other than the name you register with. If you write other information in the letter you send, that is your business to share with whomever you choose. Once the inmate writes you back though our Letters from Inmates service, the letter is received here and scanned intop your account. You will receive an email that it is there for
Read moreThe people answering on here are not in prison now. We used to be incarcerated, we work for InmateAid who employs us to answer these questions the best way we know how, unedited, from our experiences and some from what you see others go through. We get thousands and thousands of requests... there are a great majority that are the same. We can't answer them all, so if yours is the same question that is already posted already on the site,
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